Skype video calling coming to iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4

Skype is saying they have some video-related announcements heading our way for CES 2011 in a just over a week and you know what that means -- iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4 video calling, right?

Skype is participating in an event titled "Video Calling Gets Ready for Primetime" and they have also recently put up a question and answer from one of their users. The user asked how they could make a video call from their iPhone using Skype. Well Skype went ahead and decided to answer that question:

To make video calls with your contacts, you will need an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, 4th generation iPod touch or an iPad. Your contacts will only be able to see you if your device has a camera. Make sure your device is running iOS 4.0 or above and that you are using Skype for iPhone 3.0 or above.

The contacts you are calling must be using one of the following Skype clients:

Skype for Windows version 4.2 and above

Skype for Mac OS X version 2.8 and above

Skype for iPhone 3.0 and above

You can make Skype video calls by using a WiFi or 3G connection. The quality of the video will depend upon the available network conditions.

[...]

Yes, you will be able to receive screen shares from people using Skype for Windows or Mac OSX. You cannot share what is on the screen of your iPhone with other people and you cannot receive a screen share from another iPhone user.

With FaceTime already on the market for 6 months and competitors like Fring way out ahead, is Skype too little too late, or are they still the biggest name in the game and it doesn't matter how slowly they move?

I don't use skype anymore. Their company thinks we're stupid. My points: 1. will anyone leave skype running in the background, considering it drains the battery 5 times faster than average? 2. As said, people have found new and better solutions, so "too little too late". 3. The presentation. "people won't see you if your device doesn't have a camera" and "you cannot share your phone screen, AND people won't be able to share their phone screens with you" (oh really? I thought it was personal). Look what they state, they just think we're dumb.

Skype >> FaceTime, though it will be best when all of these children grow up and pick a universal standard for voice calling. (And no, FaceTime doesn't count, as all Apple has done is post an out-of-date draft for viewing, and does not allow outside input.)

Fring way out ahead? Are you serious?
Fring is a buggy piece of crap. It's not even in the same league as Skype. That's goes for userbase, usability, and backend support. And it doesn't have a phone to desktop client for video chat - Skype does. That's the killer app everyone is waiting for.

Video calling is still very gimmicky in terms of mobile phones I've found. Out of the 6 people whom I know that have the ability only 2 have ever used it and only 1 still video chats on a regular basis. Small group but I'd have to say were the average group of semi-techie people.

I don't think that Skype is "too little to late" at all. The user base that they have, have not found a better alternative. I have way more friends that I can skype with then I can FaceTime. I'm just glad that they are finally coming around and doing it. I dont' us fring, or yahoo, or any other VOIP client but skype. Only one that I would use is Adium but they've already said that they don't plan on ever making an iOS client. So I think that it won't take long for it to catch on, and they can, scratch that. They will be fine and will make up that ground in no time.

Yahoo messenger video chat... Already does everything from device to computer or device to device... Works well over 3G too. Plus if you have a yahoo account, you're already halfway there. I recommend this to anyone looking to video chat... I use mine almost every day.

I just purchased 2 new Iphone 4s for my wife and I. We love Skype especially for communicating with our family in the Philippines. It is way to expensive to call from Korea to the Philippines and Skype allows my wife to not only see but talk to her family on a weekly basis. We are very excited about the Skype video capability for our phones. They probably took their time so they would get it right the first time. You have to appreciate that.

I have a quick question? Army people, does anyone know if we will be able to communicate via skype through the new i phone 4 even though the soldier is in iraq. How does this process work. will i have to set up a new account? does he need a new account?...I dont have my soldier as a contact simply because he uses the pay phone overthere to call and he skypes me from his laptop using the internet he pays for there. someone help me out, i need to know all this before purchasing the phone.